Yesterday I visited the Riverside

[bill taylors apprentice]

I live 150 miles away from London and am no longer a season ticket holder but still attend some games sitting in the HE.
As the Riverside is closed off on match day I have not experienced the new stand but I was in London yesterday with a couple of hours to kill so went down to the ground.

I arrived about 2.30 pm and found myself a bit underwhelmed, OK it was a midweek March day and the weather was changeable but many of the food outlets on the ground floor were closed.
Those that were open the staff seemed preoccupied with other stuff rather than giving good customer service.
I had to shout to the staff out the back of one food outlet to get their attention and place an order.

The one outlet selling coffee had a woman with her back to me cleaning and i had to ask her twice if she could serve me before she turned round and told me "wait please".

At a rough guess there were less than 50 customers spread the length of the ground floor but around the various sitting areas there were dirty tables and it looked more like a place closing down than a smart new venue.

Apparently the restaurant on an upper floor was open but I wasn't allowed to go up and have a look.

Considering Bishops park was busy with people walking dogs, toddlers etc there was no sign of tempting people in.
In fact you could have walked by along the river path and thought it was closed unless you actually ventured through the dark doors.

I'm sure match days are different but overall the ground floor food and drink area lacked any warmth or feeling that it was a destination worth visiting on non match days.

[JimOG]

I live 150 miles away from London and am no longer a season ticket holder but still attend some games sitting in the HE.
As the Riverside is closed off on match day I have not experienced the new stand but I was in London yesterday with a couple of hours to kill so went down to the ground.

I arrived about 2.30 pm and found myself a bit underwhelmed, OK it was a midweek March day and the weather was changeable but many of the food outlets on the ground floor were closed.
Those that were open the staff seemed preoccupied with other stuff rather than giving good customer service.
I had to shout to the staff out the back of one food outlet to get their attention and place an order.

The one outlet selling coffee had a woman with her back to me cleaning and i had to ask her twice if she could serve me before she turned round and told me "wait please".

At a rough guess there were less than 50 customers spread the length of the ground floor but around the various sitting areas there were dirty tables and it looked more like a place closing down than a smart new venue.

Apparently the restaurant on an upper floor was open but I wasn't allowed to go up and have a look.

Considering Bishops park was busy with people walking dogs, toddlers etc there was no sign of tempting people in.
In fact you could have walked by along the river path and thought it was closed unless you actually ventured through the dark doors.

I'm sure match days are different but overall the ground floor food and drink area lacked any warmth or feeling that it was a destination worth visiting on non match days.

Not a great experience obviously - you might forward to the club?

[General]

Honestly I don't see it being that good a community space or destination experience.. it feels like it's been caught in that mindset of trying to be everything to everyone and as a result not being anything of substance to anyone.

It's one of those projects that has been billed with high hopes and then kinda failing to deliver.

That being said, that could be considered a harsh statement. I will admit I've only been a couple of times, and it does seem like there's a seasonality to it.

It's an outdoor space for the most part so will likely be used most and be busier during the sunnier/summer days.

[H4usuallysitting]

Sounds brilliant.... I'm on my way

[bill taylors apprentice]

Sounds brilliant.... I'm on my way

 
The best bit was probably being able to look through the glass doors leading to the seating and the pitch.

[SP]

Staff having no interest in serving their customers really doesn't surprise me, it seems to be the modern way.

Was the weather a bit iffy yesterday, we had rain, I imagine that's a factor?

[alfie]

I go there quite often around lunch time and it has always been busy, have never experienced what you did, in fact I will be going today, it's only a 10 minute walk for me, I can just manage that.

[bill taylors apprentice]

Staff having no interest in serving their customers really doesn't surprise me, it seems to be the modern way.

Was the weather a bit iffy yesterday, we had rain, I imagine that's a factor?

The weather was a bit iffy but I walked from Hammersmith bridge along the river to Putney bridge and there were plenty of people out and about, more along the river path than I had thought.

[Marcus]

Was a season ticket holder for decades, even when we hit 91st in the league, lapsed for personal reasons, now a member so float between Riverside and Hammy, Riverside is a dream come true, wonderful views, the vision I always had for the club, have a friend who does hospitality, he says it is known throughout the industry that Fulham messed up a bit on the catering side, hopefully this can be rectified as he knows this is an issue with current season ticket holders who pay 3.5k minimum for the privilege. It is Britian's finest stadium location wise, we need food to match!

[bill taylors apprentice]

Was a season ticket holder for decades, even when we hit 91st in the league, lapsed for personal reasons, now a member so float between Riverside and Hammy, Riverside is a dream come true, wonderful views, the vision I always had for the club, have a friend who does hospitality, he says it is known throughout the industry that Fulham messed up a bit on the catering side, hopefully this can be rectified as he knows this is an issue with current season ticket holders who pay 3.5k minimum for the privilege. It is Britian's finest stadium location wise, we need food to match!

I won't go on anymore about my visit except to say, I have no experience of match days and the food and drink were fine but if the facilities are to attract the public on days other than match days other than someone who lives across the road they need to up their game.

I accept the prices are going to be a bit steep (it's London after all) but any half decent pub, cafe or hotel bar would offer better service and atmosphere.
Maybe I'll return in the summer and see if the sunshine creates a better vibe.

COYW!!!

[cookieg]

I've been there a couple of times and never experienced this. I've also eaten in the restaurant and it was very enjoyable.

[The Old Count]

I go there quite often around lunch time and it has always been busy, have never experienced what you did, in fact I will be going today, it's only a 10 minute walk for me, I can just manage that.

Can you manage the walk on the way back though Alfie?

[Jimmy Hill]

I attended against Burnley. I thought the stand was great, i think the weather really helped as we could enjoy being by the river in the sun with a few beers, cushioned seats great view. The only thing lacking was an atmosphere, dont think heard any fulham chants. I would go back but give me an away end with bovil any day. It really is a great addition to the ground and local area, i recognise its not for me personally but not sure how you can really fault it as a stand.

[H4usuallysitting]

I go there quite often around lunch time and it has always been busy, have never experienced what you did, in fact I will be going today, it's only a 10 minute walk for me, I can just manage that.

Can you manage the walk on the way back though Alfie?

He swims back

[alfie]

I go there quite often around lunch time and it has always been busy, have never experienced what you did, in fact I will be going today, it's only a 10 minute walk for me, I can just manage that.

Can you manage the walk on the way back though Alfie?

After a nice coffee & cake, with an hour or so sitting people watching, yep can get back home.

[acji]

Staff having no interest in serving their customers really doesn't surprise me, it seems to be the modern way.

Was the weather a bit iffy yesterday, we had rain, I imagine that's a factor?

Hail at times and freezing cold. Not good weather.

[alfie]

I go there quite often around lunch time and it has always been busy, have never experienced what you did, in fact I will be going today, it's only a 10 minute walk for me, I can just manage that.

Can you manage the walk on the way back though Alfie?

He swims back

I'm a very good swimmer downwards.

[Woolly Mammoth]

I live 150 miles away from London and am no longer a season ticket holder but still attend some games sitting in the HE.
As the Riverside is closed off on match day I have not experienced the new stand but I was in London yesterday with a couple of hours to kill so went down to the ground.

I arrived about 2.30 pm and found myself a bit underwhelmed, OK it was a midweek March day and the weather was changeable but many of the food outlets on the ground floor were closed.
Those that were open the staff seemed preoccupied with other stuff rather than giving good customer service.
I had to shout to the staff out the back of one food outlet to get their attention and place an order.

The one outlet selling coffee had a woman with her back to me cleaning and i had to ask her twice if she could serve me before she turned round and told me "wait please".

At a rough guess there were less than 50 customers spread the length of the ground floor but around the various sitting areas there were dirty tables and it looked more like a place closing down than a smart new venue.

Apparently the restaurant on an upper floor was open but I wasn't allowed to go up and have a look.

Considering Bishops park was busy with people walking dogs, toddlers etc there was no sign of tempting people in.
In fact you could have walked by along the river path and thought it was closed unless you actually ventured through the dark doors.

I'm sure match days are different but overall the ground floor food and drink area lacked any warmth or feeling that it was a destination worth visiting on non match days.

Did you happen to notice if there were any Lilo's in the swimming pool during your investigation.

[mrmicawbers]

I have been at rmthe weekend when we weren't playing nand it was really busy with a  great atmosphere. Plan to go there on boat race day.No tickets required and am looking forward to it.

[Woolly Mammoth]

I have been at rmthe weekend when we weren't playing nand it was really busy with a  great atmosphere. Plan to go there on boat race day.No tickets required and am looking forward to it.

Sounds good, apparently I am to understand that Oxford and Cambridge both reached the Final yet again.